Knockdown portable wardrobe



I. M. GALLOWAY.

KNOCKDOWN PORTABLE WARDROBE.

Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

2SHEETSSHEET 1.

APPLICATION FILED IAN-I5, I921- J. M- GALLOWAY.

KNOCKDQWN PORTABLE WARDROBE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-15, 1921.

Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- AT'TbRNE-JYS v UNITED STATES JAMES M. GALLOWAY, OF TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA.

KNOCKDOWN PORTABLE WARDROBE.

Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

Application filed January 15, 1921. Serial No. 437,417.

T 0 all 'whomz't may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES M. GALLOWAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Terre Haute, in the county of Vigo and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knockdown Portable lVardrobes; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention relates to portable wardrobes; and it provides a novel, compact, knockdown suit cabinet or wardrobe, which can bequickly taken down and compactly packed when not in use or for transport.

An object of my invention is to provide an inexpensive knockdown wardrobe which when taken apart may be compactly packed within its top and bottom members, and when so packed presents an attractive appearance, and is a package of such small size and neat construction that it may be easily carried as such from place to place; or can be put into a small trunk for trans ort.

lVhen desired the wardrobe ma be unpacked and readily set up, and when set up forms an enclosed practical cabinet, which will protect clothing placed therein from dust, and at the same time permit ready access thereto.

Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter described with reference to the drawings; and the appended claims summarize the novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts, for which I desire protection.

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the ward-v robe, showing the same set up ready for use.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the wardrobe set up with the cloth covering removed.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of thewardrobe knocked down and packed ready for transport. r

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the under side of the top member of the wardrobe.

Fig. '5 is an enlarged View of the bottom member showing the sectional standards packed therein. v

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view, showing how an upper section of a standard is en; gaged with the top member and the next lower section.

Fig. 7 is an enlar d. detail sectional View showing how the lower section of a standard is engaged with the bottom member.

Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views showing one means for supporting the transverse hanger rod in the top member.

The cabinet broadly speaking consists of a hollow box like bottom member 1, and a hollow box like top member 2; four jointed sectional standards 3, and a preferably flexible casing or covering 7. i

The bottom member 1 is in the form of a shallow preferably rectangular box, and is provided at each corner with an opening 1, over which and within the member 1 is a metal socket 1 which may be of any suitable construction. As shown each socket 1 has side flanges 1, secured to the inner side walls of the bottom member 1 by screws or other suitable fastenings. Each socket memher 1" may be provided with an L-shaped slot 1 in its side for a purpose hereinafter described.

The top member 2 is substantially similar to the bottom member 1, but inverted, and has no openings like 1, but is provided in ternally at each corner with an internal socket 2 which may be like, and fastened in the same manner as the collars 1".

Each standard 3 preferably consists of a plurality, preferably three, of sections 4:, 5', 6, respectively. There are four such standards, and as they are preferably alike in all respects, an explanation of one will explain the construction and manner of using all of the standards; the same procedure being employed with each of the standards when the cabinet is being set up or taken down.

Each standard section is preferably formed member is supported above the floor 'on which the cabinet rests.

The intermediate standard section 5 is provided on its lower end with a preferably wooden stud 5* which is adapted to be fitted into the socketed or hollow upper end of the section 4 and form a tight joint therewith as indicated in Fig. 1. The upper end of this section 5 preferably forms a socket.

The upper standard sectionfi may be provided on its lower end with a, preferably wooden stud 6 which is adapted to fit into the upper end of the section 5 as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, and the upper end of section 6 may be provided with a preferably wooden plug 6* which is adapted to enter one of the sockets 2 in the top member 2.

The top wall of the top member forms a stop for the upper ends of the studs 6" when inserted in the sockets 2 The top surface of the top member is therefore unmarred; and the absence of any openings therein serves to easily identify member 2 as the top of the cabinet when same is being set up. 4

I have described the sections as made of tubing and having wooden studs for the purpose of lightness and strength but I do not consider the invention restricted to this particular construction. a

The standard sections and sockets are preferably provided with means for interlocking them when engaged and for this purpose any suitable devices which are well known might be used. In the drawings 1 have shown simple and effective means consisting of L-slots and pins for interlocking the standard sections together and also for locking the sections to the sockets 1 and 2 respectively.

As shown in Fig. 7 the socket 1" has an L-slot 1 adapted to be engaged by a pin 41 on the section 4;, and the section t also has a key slot i in its upper end adapted to be engaged by a pin 5 on the related section 5, and section 5 is provided with an L-slot 5 adapted to be engaged by a pin- 6 on the related section 6; and socket 2" of the top member has an L-s-lot 2 adapted to be engaged by a pin 6 on the section 6.

It is obvious that these key slots and pins may be readily engaged and disengaged,

and when the pins are properly inserted and turned into the angular ends of the slots the parts will be locked against rela tive longitudinal movement. Preferably a the pins 6 and W on the sections 6 which locked to the bottom member 1.

are adapted to engage the slots 5 andQ. respectively are in line so that the pins may be first engaged with the slots and then simultaneously lockedto the artsQ. and by partially turning the section 6 (see Fig. 6); I

Thestu'dsfa are preferably longer than thoseof any of the other sections,- and when inserted through the apertures 1* and sockets 1 of the bottom member 1, project therebelow and serve as feet or legs for the cabinet as well; and when the pins 4 are engaged with the slots 1, the sections 4 are The stud 5, however, may be shorter than the stud e, but should be long enough to make a strong joint when it is inserted in the upper end of the section 1 and the pin o engaged with the slot.

The top 2 is also provided with suitable means on its opposed inner walls intermediate the ends thereof to support a transverse rod 8, such as shownin Figs. 1 and 5, which forms a support for the usual coat and suit hangers, when the wardrobe is in use. The rod 8 may be supported at one end by a perforated plate 8 attached to-the side of'the member 2 (Fig. 8) and at its other end by a slotted bracket 8 attached to the opposite side of the member (Fig. 9) to permit ready removal of the rod when desired.

Any ordinary coat or suit hangers, indicated at H,,may be suspended on the rod 8 as indicated in Fig. 1, and shoes, or hats,

etc, may be placed in the bottom member 1 when the cabinet is set up. a

A- suitable casing or covering 7, preferably of light fabric, is adapted to comwalls of the bottom member 1 and top member 2. The ends of this fabric covering preferably overlap at the front of the cabinet and may be provided with any suitable means for fastening them, so that the casing may be opened when desired to have access to the interior thereof.

The covering might be of any other suitable material, but I preferto use fabric so that it'will fold readily and compactly for packing when the wardrobe is knocked down. Obviously also any other suitable means may be provided for fastening the covering to the cabinet and I do not consider the invention limited to the particular specific fastenings of the covering nor to the peculiar specific means for detachably looking standard sections to each other and to the sockets as illustrated inthe drawings.

When thejcabinet is in knocked down posi- ,hooks 1 and 2 respectively on the inner tion of course the'standards are'disengaged member as indicated in Fig. 5, and the cask ing 7 may be folded and placed on top of these members, and, if desired, anumber of different kinds of ordinary clothes hangers, may be placed therein, and then the Whole covered by the top member2 as indicated in Fig. 3. These members 1 and 2 may be fastened together by any suitable means.

Any suitable means of holding the members 1 and 2 together when the wardrobe is packed may be employed. Preferably the bottom member 1 is provided with upwardly projecting studs 10 as shown in Fig. 4 adapted to engage corresponding sockets 10 in the top member and said lower member is also provided with books 9 at the ends thereof which engage with pin 9 on the top member. The Wardrobe when in knocked down position presents a most compact attractive appearance, and is light and readily handled and carried. WVhen it is desired to set up the cabinet the hooks at the sides are disengaged and the top portion lifted from the bottom member, and the contents taken therefrom. The studs 4P of the lower sections 4 are then inserted through the collars 1 and apertures 1 in the bottom member 1 until the pins 4 are in locked engagement with the slots 1 as indicated in Fig. 7. Studs 5 of the sections 5 are then inserted in the upper ends of the sections 4 and may be locked thereto by engaging the pins 5 with the slots 4. Then the studs 6 of the sections 6 are inserted in the upper ends of the sections 5 and the pins 6 entered in the slots 5, but not locked thereto. Then the topmember 2 is placed on top of the sections 6 so that the studs 6 enter .the sockets 2 and the pins 6 engage the slots 2*. Then by turning the sections 6 the Pins 6 and 6 are simultaneously locked with the slots 5 and 2 thereby locking the top standards and the top and bottom members together easily and quickly. The rod 8 may then be readily engaged with the retainers. The covering 7 is then arranged in place, preferably passing outside the standards. I preferably start hanging the covering shown at a point intermediate the ends of the top member 2, engaging each eyelet with its related hook and then engage similar hooks and eyelets in the bottom member 1. When the curtain has been properly hung in place it forms a complete casing and at the same time permits ready access to the cabinet, by simply unfastening the buttons or fasteners by which the ends of the curtain are united and swinging back one or both front ends of the curtain.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In a knockdown wardrobe of the character described; a bottom member having sockets; standard sections having their lower ends adapted to engage said sockets; a second set of sections provided with studs at one end and sockets at the other end, the

studs adapted to engage the upper ends of the first set of sections; a third set of sections provided with short studs at one end and lon er studs at the other, the longer studs being adapted to engage the sockets in the tops of the second members and the short studs engaging sockets in a top member; and a top member having sockets, substantially as described.

2. In a knockdown wardrobe as set forth in claim 1, the sections having key-slots and pin devices to connect them together and to the top and bottom members, substantially as described.

3. In a knockdown wardrobe of the character described; a bottom member having apertures therein and sockets mounted above said apertures; standard sections having cylindrical studs in one end and sockets at the other end thereof, adapted to pass through said apertures and sockets and extend below the bottom member to form legs for the wardrobe; a second set of sections provided with studs at one end adapted to engage the upper ends of the first set of sections and sockets at the other end; a third set of sections provided with short studs in one end adapted to engage sockets in a top member, and longer studs on their other ends adapted to engage the sockets of the second set of sections; with a removable top member. having sockets engaging the upper ends of said standards and supported thereon; substantially as described.

4. In a knockdown wardrobe as set forth in claim 3; the sockets and sections having interengaging key-slots and pins to lock the sections together and to the top and bottom members, substantially as described.

5. A knockdown wardrobe as set forth in claim 1, having top and bottom members formed like shallow boxes; all the other members when knocked down being adapted to fit within the top and bottom members, substantially as described.

6. A knockdown wardrobe as set forth in claim 3; the top and bottom members being box like and the standard sections being of a length to fit within the top and bottom members; a flexible foldable covering; all

when set up forming a complete wardrobe;

and the standards and covering being enclosed within the box like top and bottom members when knocked down, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I afiix my signature.

JAMES M. GALLOWAY. 

